Influencer marketing agency Takumi has announced the launch of the Influencer Marketing Trade Body (IMTB), a not-for-profit professional membership organisation dedicated to building a robust and sustainable future for the influencer marketing industry.

Led by influencer marketing professional Scott Guthrie, Takumi is one of six founding member organisations alongside marketing and media agencies Ogilvy, Tagger, INCA, The Fifth and Whalar, with a senior member from each organisation sitting on the IMTB Board of Management. IMTB’s Board of Management will collaboratively manage the trade body. The board will act in the interest of the institutions members, the industry and society.

The IMTB is designed to celebrate professionalism within the industry, improving business decisions whilst respecting consumers and creators. It is committed to enhancing influencer marketing by protecting and improving its reputation, pioneering progressive ideas, increasing transparency and supporting profitability.

It will promote industry collaboration, with new influencer marketing agencies or influencer marketing platforms encouraged to join as a corporate member. It aims to speak as a unified voice, earning a place as a trusted source of research, guidance and education to the benefit of the industry.

The IMTB has already advised on an inquiry by The Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport into Influencer Culture; provided industry insight as part of the review process of ISBA’s Influencer Marketing Code; and developed its own Code of Conduct.

“Takumi is honoured to be a founding member of the Influencer Marketing Trade Body,” said Takumi Chief Strategy Officer, Jim Meadows. “As the influencer marketing sector grows and marketers increasingly allocate more budget to creator-led content, it’s integral that industry professionals are held to account to uphold the highest standards of practice by an independent board.

“Takumi maintains the importance of fair and rigorous regulation through the use of the latest technological developments in the industry and our 11-step vetting process to protect consumers, brands and creators. We believe that the inauguration of the IMTB will help to protect and enhance industry professionalism and create a sustainable future for influencer marketing.”